Merian, Maria Sybilla, and Daniel Rabel

3 parts in 3 volumes, folio (490 x 310mm.), part 1: engraved additional title, 72 hand-coloured engraved plates; part 2: 185 hand-coloured engraved plates on 47 leaves; part 3: 69 hand-coloured engraved plates, contemporary mottled calf gilt, triple gilt fillet borders on covers, spines tooled gilt in 8 compartments, lettered in 2, gilt turn-ins and edges, the pineapple plate folded at edge, vol. 2 F1 with a repaired tear in the text

Nissen BBI 1341 and 1342; see note to Hunt 483

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A FINE COPY OF THIS RARE COMBINED EDITION, gathering together Merian’s two major works, together with Rabel’s depictions of the most spectacular flowering plants of the seventeenth century.

The plates to Merian’s works (including the twelve additional plates for Insectes de Surinam by her daughter) appear to have been purchased at auction by Desnos, to which he added the suite of plates by Rabel, which is effectively a fourth, revised edition of his classic Theatrum florae.